Business Before Turkey: Icemen Renew Rivalry Against Terriers

Who said you have to eat turkey for Thanksgiving?

While most Harvard students have been dreaming of a sumptuous turkey dinner, the Harvard men's hockey team has been dreaming of stuffing and roasting something else.

Namely, Boston University.

The fifth-ranked Crimson faces off against the eighth-ranked Terriers tonight at Walter Brown Arena. And Harvard is fixing to make a hearty meal of BU.

Harvard (4-0-1 overall, 4-0-1 ECAC) just returned to town from a tough, two-game road trip last weekend, barely edging out Princeton on Friday night and tying Yale on Saturday.

But BU (2-3-1, 1-3-0 Hockey East) had a even tougher time last weekend, dropping a pair of games to the top-ranked Maine Black Bears.

As if that weren't enough, the Terriers have recieved a few painful lumps along the way.

Most likely, BU will play without injured defenders Doug Wood and Steve Foster.

The Terriers must skate without wing Mike Pomichter (two goals, two assists) who is ineligiable for tonight's contest after he was ejected during Saturday night's game against Maine.

But Harvard knows better than to overlook BU.

"They're going be ready for us," Harvard Assistant Coach Jerry Pawloski promised. "It will be a very fast game."

Indeed, Harvard and BU have shown their blazing speed this season, and with both teams facing each other, the ice of Walter Brown may be in serious danger of melting.

"They're a quick skating team, and we're a quick skating team. It'll be a tough game," BU Coach Jack Parker said.

Terrier Offense

The Terrier offense is led by senior wing David Sacco (one goal, six assists), and junior Doug Friedman (three goals, three assists

Past Favors BU

While Harvard may be favored in tonight's game by virtue of a higher national ranking, BU holds the head-to-head advantage between the two recently, with a 6-1 record against the Crimson in the last six years.

Last season, BU won the Beanpot Championship by beating Harvard in the finals, 5-2.

Although Harvard hasn't faired well against BU recently, players and coaches say the past won't have as much effect on tonight's game as the bagels the Yale fans threw from the stands had on the Harvard football team.

"We've got a lot of freshman playing that don't know anything about these rivalries," Body said. "I don't think [the past] plays a major role. We have so many good players that we can count on everyone to get the job done."

If the Crimson doesn't get the job done, Harvard players can forget about enjoying any turkey dinner this year.

Harvard will be eating crow instead.